Finding Contentus

Chapter 32: The R&R Tale (1)

Amoar on the other hand was speechless and simply stared at his brother like a ghost. Taking awhile for his words to sink in before reluctantly nodding in silence and shadow.

To this day, Renero isn't exactly sure how he kept saying the words he said without pausing to stop or breaking down under what they actually meant. It was almost like he had detached himself from the situation so much that attaching the meaning and ramifications seemed so... outlandishly foreign to him.

In his heart, he believed that if there was going to be any sacrifices, it needed to be him.

One for all people and all for one people.

"I know this is selfish of me, I know I am stripping the choice away from you. But this is something I must do. I refuse to lose any more lives from the countless sons, daughters, cousins, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers that we've lost already these past thirteen years."

"Enough is enough. We have to prove that this way of living is possible, and I am willing to be the one sacrifice so that we can all remain as one, in peace."

~~~

Although everyone's spirits lifted significantly, Amoar and Rasie's spirits only seemed to deflate that much more.

That's so unfair of you Reno. You won't even be able to cradle your own children, your twins that you've always wanted. And you'll be leaving sissie... alone... without her husband...

Rasie bit her trembling lips on the verge of tears and on the verge of breaking her normally stern expression.

If Amoar didn't place his hand on her shoulder, she probably would have crumbled and probably would have gained Banti's attention who was happily receiving thanks from all the others while the children huddled around her to speak to the unborn twins with sparkling eyes of awe.

"We can do this Rasie. We can do this." Although Amoar spoke clearly, Rasie knew her husband's voice better than anyone, and could hear how flat it was when she raised her head to see him holding back his own tears with a stoic expression.

They said nothing else to each other, not even when their own daughter Mpho caught on to them with worry in her eyes that they dismissed at every turn.

They remained silent, until they continued on for several more hours and reached the end of their journey. Or at least, the end of the journey in which they would leave Renero to do what he had decided to. Light was ahead of them, only blocked by Renero who stood at the front and raised his fist in ordering them all to stop.

"Tsek man," Banti cursed. "They can't ever give us a break," she sighed weakly, with wrinkling features having sensed their predicament.

In front of them was the path they had to get through to escape the Metro province. However, it was blocked by an army of humans, all with Optimers that they could sense were waiting for them. The Racaans could feel and hear the spirits of their people, trapped forever in Optimers, begging to be freed.

Banti instinctively placed her hand over her stomach, trying to calm herself in such a tense situation to not add unnecessary stress, strain and pressure to her babies.

"Papa, where is Malome Reno going?" Mpho's tiny voice was as scared and as small as her, perhaps even smaller in standing next to her father Amoar.

Renero stood perfectly still in front of them with the created distance and hadn't made a move to go anywhere. Despite this stillness, Mpho was able to sense an abundance of tragedy looming over them with the shining light from the outside that Renero blocked.